Overview

In Beside the Ocean of Time, George Mackay Brown places us on a small Orkney island through the eyes of Thorfinn Ragnarsson, a quiet and observant boy growing up in the early twentieth century. From his crofting life by the sea, Thorfinn imagines the island’s past in vivid detail, moving through centuries of history. Everyday island routines sit alongside grand visions of Norse earls, saints, and farmers, all shaped by the same land and water.

Writing & Voice

We found the writing lyrical, calm, and deeply rooted in place. Mackay Brown’s language is simple but resonant, with a steady rhythm that mirrors tides and seasons. The shifts between Thorfinn’s present life and imagined histories feel natural, guided by mood rather than plot, and give the novel its distinctive flow.

Characters

Thorfinn is a gentle and inward looking narrator, more comfortable with memory and imagination than action. Around him are island figures drawn with quiet affection, people shaped by work, weather, and long habits. The historical characters he imagines are less fully formed, but they add depth to the sense of continuity across generations.

Themes

This novel is about time, memory, and belonging. It explores how land holds stories, and how the present is always layered with the past. We were struck by the way Mackay Brown connects ordinary lives to history, showing how people come and go while the island endures.

What Worked

• A powerful sense of place rooted in Orkney’s landscape and history.
• A unique structure that blends daily life with imagined pasts.
• A reflective tone that rewards slow, attentive reading.

Minor Quibbles

• The loose structure may challenge readers looking for a strong plot.
• The historical sections can feel distant compared to Thorfinn’s personal story.

Final Thoughts

Beside the Ocean of Time is a quiet, beautiful meditation on history, place, and the lives shaped by the sea.

Rating: ★★★★★ / 5